I’m excited to announce my participation in The Artist Project, which takes place at the Queen Elizabeth Building, Exhibition Place, Toronto from March 4 – 7, 2010. This is event is organized by the same folks that run the One of a Kind Shows, Toronto International Art Fair and The Armory Show New York, so you can expect the quality to be very high indeed.
I have a few free tickets to give away on a first-come basis – hit me back with a reply if you’re interested…

The Artist Project:
March 4 – 7, 2010
Queen Elizabeth Building, Exhibition Place, Toronto
Thursday 7pm -10pm (Opening Night Party)
Friday 12pm – 9pm
Saturday 11am – 8pm
Sunday 11am – 6pm

Admission:  $12 (adults), $8 (seniors / students), $25 Opening Night Preview

Thank-yous:

I must say thanks to Barbara Milne and Gary Santucci for again putting on an excellent opening for the showing of The Streets of Hamilton. There’s still a couple of weeks left to see it hanging – go check out The Pearl Centre in Hamilton to have a look.

Thanks also to Andrea Renaldo and her husband Steve for the wonderful spread at her home in Collingwood, featuring some really amazing art and artists. The gourmet hot-dogs, the chocolate cheese, the nine year old cheddar… yum! (and thanks to the Merriams and Lounsburys for watching the kids)

If you’ve been to downtown Hamilton lately, you’ll have noticed the wonderful new facade on the Hamilton Market/Central Library building created by architect David Premi. Dave was thoughtful enough to invite me to hang work in his office for a promotional video shoot – thanks Dave!

Miscellaneus:

The annual Martini Night fundraiser for Mother Goose Cooperative Preschool takes place on Sat., Feb. 27, 2010 at Melrose United Church in Hamilton (corner of Locke and Homewood). This year’s theme will be “Fire & Ice” and will include silent and live auctions, 50/50 draw, wine raffle, catered food, live DJ and martinis! I will have a painting for sale in the live auction (value $600). Tickets are $10 + non-perishable food item – for more info contact me directly.

To my artist friends, the West Hamilton Artists Tour (aka WHAT), is currently taking submissions for entry to this year’s tour, which will take place on May 8 & 9, 2010 in Hamilton. We are looking for all mediums and you don’t necessarily have to live here to apply. For details and to download the prospectus, check www.westhamiltonartiststour.com

cheers,
Gordon

My annual holiday open house will take place on Sat., Dec. 5 and Sun., Dec. 6, 2009 – that’s right, I’ve extended the festivities for an extra day this year, so bring your good will and hand sanitizer! Hours of operation: Sat. & Sun., 10am – 5pm. For directions, check here.

I’ll be submitting some work for the first time at Arta Gallery for their group show entitled, Light of Winter. Arta is a beautiful, fantastic cave-like gallery located in Toronto’s Distillery District. Show opens Thursday, Dec. 10 from 7-10pm and runs until Dec. 26.

I’m pleased to be working with the fine folks at Venus Gallery in beautiful Aurora, Ontario. I’ll be joining some of my favourite artists on their roster including, Laurie Skantzos, John Ovcacik and Chris Hayes.

i’ve signed on with Gallery 133 in toronto – avenue rd and eglinton in the design district.  i met with vanessa today and she walked away with a bunch of my works for the gallery. if you’re in the area, go have a peak at their massive space filled with delectable art…

www.gallery133.com

august has been a heavy month on the art front. an article appeared in the globe and mail newspaper featuring my work, and i’ve had two blog mentions – dirtymouse from the UK and mint blog from a designer in north carolina.  thanks for the mentions and the website hits!

finally, i will have a painting up for auction at the 2nd annual mayor’s gala for the arts happening in chatham, ontario on saturday, august 22, 2009.  the proceeds will benefit the restoration of the historic capitol theatre, so go support the cause!

Pinkwall 2 – up for auction!

g.

so i thought i should post some results,  if for no other reason than to force myself headlong into the deep end.   there’s no turning back now.

- gordon

ps.  besides the cleanup time,  there’s an abundance of smell involved (some of it ain’t good).  anyone with an old stove vent to give away?

Camper, by Gordon Leverton

untitled, by Gordon Leverton 2009

untitled, by Gordon Leverton 2009

untitled, by Gordon Leverton 2009

untitled, by Gordon Leverton 2009

Thanks also to the person who donated 125 volunteer hours for my painting, “Rising High” at the first annual Hamilton Timeraiser. From all angles it looked like a great success and best of all many Hamilton and area charities will benefit.

June is a heavy month, kicking off the outdoor season with the Riverdale Art Walk in Jimmie Simpson Park, Toronto on June 6 and 7. This rain or shine event features close to one hundred juried fine artists and many local galleries throughout the Queen Street East district. And it’s free!

Art-2009 makes its debut at the Toronto Convention Centre on June 12, 13 and 14. This charity event, benefiting the Toronto Sick Kids Foundation will feature a plethora of cultural events, including live music, demonstrations and 300 visual artists from around the world! For more info check their website and look for me in Booth #1513.

The beautiful lakeside village of Bayfield, Ontario celebrates its annual Sail & Canvas weekend on June 20 & 21, 2009, kicking off the summer season with festival of artists, food, music and fun for all ages. Join me at Marten Arts Gallery on Main Street for the opening of my latest solo show “Paper Thin City” – Sat. June 20 from noon – 5pm.

my head was down all month, mostly framing pictures and getting ready for The Artist Project which took place from the 5th to the 8th.   the show was very professionally done, with a gala opening night wine & cheese event and other civilities.  i’ll be back next year!  some of the artist highlights for me:

heather kocsis – 3d wall sculptures using found objects;

nina sampaleanu – encaustic (!) wall sculptures (can you tell i like wall sculptures?)

nava waxman – irridescent encaustic wax paintings (but check her drawings as well)

amy gillespie – fabulously arranged wood and fabric creations

lorraine roy – stunning textile paintings

paul saari – wonderful and imaginative

fausta facciponte – not for everyone but definitely for me

… Absorb 2009 is coming up on valentine’s day and i have a piece entered into their juried competition, “In the Red”

— for all the fun, head down to the Pepper Jack Cafe in Hamilton on Sat., Feb. 14.

“untitled (red)” c. 2009, Gordon Leverton,

…near the end of the month, on Feb. 28,  McMaster University in Hamilton is holding their annual Global Citizens Conference and Art Show in the Students Centre.  I will have a selection of Hamilton-inspired paintings on display along with a number of other local artists – go see, it’s free.

… on the same day, Mother Goose Co-operative preschool is holding their big annual fundraiser, Martini Night & Silent Auction.  this year’s theme is “masquerade” and there will be the usual slate of activities such as: live band, wine raffle, 50/50 draw, fine cuisine, live auction, silent auction and MARTINIS!  i will have a painting in the live auction, so if you’re looking to purchase one of my works for less than retail, tonight’s the night.  other  artists donating works include Nancy Benoy, Sandee Ewasiuk, Siobhan Lynch, Tara Lynne Franco, David Irvine, Rod Paget and more..

important details about The Artist Project next week, once i get my booth number…

g.

after some time away, I have truly figured out what this blog needs and that is more of me (well at least my presence, more often). so to ensure that i’m around more often, i’ve taken to listing my available works with prices, dimensions, etc, as well as where they can be purchased. this is intended to be a quick ‘n’ easy companion to my website – www.gordonleverton.com – plus it will show those galleries that i’m really really tech-savvy and serious about my career.

as always, i’m willing to listen to your advice, however i can’t promise anything beyond that….

g.

I lost count of how many winter storms we had last month in southern Ontario. What better thing for a hibernating artist to do but get busy with work? Last week I finished five pieces and am on the fast track to the beginning of this year’s show season. Speaking of which….

I’ll be returning to Toronto’s urbanscape gallery this month for the show “my City; urban artworks”, a group show focusing on each artist’s unique take on their own urban sphere. Opening reception will be on Friday, Feb. 29 from 7 – 10pm and the show runs from Feb. 28 – March 12. Can’t wait to get back to the Junction!

There was a great turnout for the Propeller Centre’s annual winter auction in January. The Queen West artist-run centre was overrun with wall to wall art from member’s and invited guests (including yours truly). I was most fortunate to meet Annette Hansen, owner of Cobalt Gallery, who gave me an opportunity to show alongside Garilla Prints in a themed show titled “Reflecting…”. Opening reception is Sat., Mar. 8 from 2-5pm. and runs to Mar. 31.

Toronto artist Kurt Rostek and I will be occupying the beautiful, sunlit space of Sunrise Gallery from April 5 to the 25th. This beachfront gallery on Lake Ontario earns a visit in its own right, so drop by on Sat. Apr. 5 from 2 – 5pm for the opening – we’ll both be there!

Flyers for the 9th annual Southwest Hamilton Artists Studio Tour will be out very soon so check your local coffee shop for a copy. Better yet, contact me and I will make sure you get one. More info in the next email but mark Mother’s Day weekend on your calendar (May 10-11).

Finally, It was a blast to be involved with the annual Martini Night and Silent Auction for Mother Goose Preschool on Feb. 9. The organizing committee did a wonderful job dressing up the “church” and raised lots of money for the school. Congrats to Joe & Lois, the winning bidders of my painting “Coming of Age” – hopefully they’re still pleased after the hangover!

contact:
urbanscape gallery – 2959 Dundas Street West (between Keele St. and Pacific Ave.), Toronto – 416.850.0021
Cobalt Gallery – 870a Kingston Rd. (@ Beech Rd.), Toronto – 416.694.0156
Sunrise Gallery – 765 Beach Boulevard, Hamilton – 905.549.5888
Gordon Leverton – 905.525.9874

cheers,
Gord

L-R:  1) “Convenience”, 2) “Construct”, 3) “Congestion”, 4) “Peak”, 5) “Favela 19″, 6) “Noonday Sun” – all images (c) 2008, Gordon Leverton, all rights reserved.